Religion briefs

Friday

Dec 20, 2013 at 12:01 AMDec 20, 2013 at 10:23 AM

Holy Eucharist services will be held at 8 and 10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 140 N. Oakdale Ave., Medford. At 5 p.m. will begin a "Darkest Night" service for those who have difficulty with the holiday season or have suffered loss. This mostly quiet service offers hope in Christ's birth.

Holy Eucharist services will be held at 8 and 10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 140 N. Oakdale Ave., Medford. At 5 p.m. will begin a "Darkest Night" service for those who have difficulty with the holiday season or have suffered loss. This mostly quiet service offers hope in Christ's birth.

On Tuesday, Dec. 24, St. Mark's will feature Christmas carols, a performance by the handbell choir and a Christmas Eve service with pageant starting at 4:10 p.m., a second service of Christmas carols and handbells at 9:30 p.m., and a Mass at 10 p.m. On Wednesday, a Christmas Day service with Communion will be held at 10 a.m. Call 541-773-3111 or see www.stmarks-medford.org.

Table Rock Bible Church will hold a community sing-along at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, at 10561 Table Rock Road. Refreshments will be provided. Call 541-301-6148.

Trinity Episcopal Church plans a Christmas Pageant during the 10 a.m. worship service on Sunday, Dec. 22. On Tuesday, Dec. 24, there will be a Family Service and Holy Eucharist at 4 p.m.; Holy Eucharist with carols at 6 p.m.; Christmas music at 10:30 p.m.; and Festal Choral Eucharist at 11 p.m. On Christmas Day, there will be one service at 10 a.m. The church is at 44 N. Second St., Ashland. For more information, call 541-201-3418 or visit www.trinitychurchashland.org.

Author Neale Donald Walsch will be guest speaker at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, at the Center For Spiritual Living, 3581 Lear Way, Medford. He'll speak on "The Greatest Gift of Christmas." A musical program will include singing of Christmas carols with Kim Leatham. A children's program will be presented during the service. Refreshments will follow.

The youth of Medford Congregational United Church of Christ will present a story of Jesus' birth called "Jesus' Christmas Party" during morning worship at 10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, at 1801 E. Jackson St., Medford. At 5 p.m., church members will carol at the doors of members who are unable to get out and enjoy the Christmas festivities. Christmas Eve service will start at 7 p.m. Tuesday with candlelight, lessons, carols and brass. Call 541-772-8860.

The Medford Unitarian Universalists meet at 3 p.m. the second and fourth Sundays at the Masonic Temple on North Phoenix Road near East Barnett Road.

On Sunday, Dec. 22, members will share a well-remembered holiday celebration of their youth during the program, titled "Christmases Remembered." Violin and keyboard music will enhance the program. Holiday refreshments will be served. Visitors are welcome. Call 899-1026 for further information.

A candle-lighting service will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24. A silent unity prayer service is held at 11 a.m. on Wednesdays followed by a metaphysical bible discussion at 11:30 a.m.

Call 541-772-6902 or see www.unitymedford.org.

First Presbyterian Church of Medford will hold a candlelight Christmas Eve service at 10 p.m. Tuesday at 85 S. Holly St., Medford. It will be a celebration of lessons and carols with pipe organ, handbells and a traditional choir.

Jacksonville First Presbyterian Church plans two candlelight worship services on Christmas Eve. The first will be a 5 p.m. family service designed especially for children and their parents. A traditional candlelight service will follow at 7 p.m. Nursery care will be available for children up to age 3 at both services. The church is at 425 Middle St., Jacksonville. For more information, call 541-899-1287. (The address has been corrected in this version.)

A candlelight service will be held at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24, at the Gold Hill United Methodist Church, 416 Dardanelles St. All are welcome. Communion will be served. Call 541-855-7433.

Set Free and New Life Christian Fellowships will present a Christmas Eve program at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the ministry center, 1032 W. Main St., Medford.

The program, open to all, will feature Christmas carols, a short message, pop-open cards and candy canes. Call 541-773-4004.

Living Praise church will hold a Christmas Eve candlelight service from 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at 115 Gibbon Road, Central Point.

First Baptist Church of Phoenix will host a free spaghetti dinner and movie at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20. Dinner will include spaghetti, garlic bread, green salad and desserts, followed by a showing of "The Nativity."

On Sunday, Dec. 22, the church will hold a Christmas service at 11 a.m. that will include music and a Nativity play, followed by a potluck.

The church is at 4655 S. Pacific Highway. For more information or a ride, call 541-512-1616 or visit www.firstbaptistchurchofphoenix.com.